When to Hire a Lawyer: Personal Injury Laws and Your Rights to Recovery

When Should You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Personal Injury Laws and Your Rights to Recovery

Osborne and Francis team

Personal injury law is divided into two main categories: intentional and unintentional acts (accidents). Intentional acts include civil claims for assault and battery, as well as a few other ones like defamation/slander, stalking/harassment, and sexual abuse. Unintentional acts may include those which cause car accidents, or actions that result in a slip-and-fall injury in a grocery store aisle.

At Osborne & Francis, we have a proven track record of success in a wide range of personal injury cases. We are a nationally-acclaimed law firm with offices in Boca Raton and Orlando, Florida. We aren’t afraid to fight hard on behalf of our clients, and have obtained multi-million dollar verdicts against large corporations and manufacturers.

Here are some of the most common cases handled by the experienced personal injury lawyers at Osborne & Francis:

What Is Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice refers to any type of negligence by a health care provider or professional that causes measurable injury to a patient. It can take various forms, including:

  • Medical product or device injury: Medical products or devices that cause injury in patients may be the fault of the product manufacturer, the medical staff that performed the procedure, or multiple parties. For example, unsafe transvaginal mesh implants can lead to serious complications such as pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence. Many patients require additional surgeries, but still experience debilitating side effects such as infection, pain and bleeding.
  • Surgical errors: Surgical mistakes can include operating on the incorrect site on the patient, damaging organs, muscles and nerves, or leaving surgical implements inside your body. These are known as “never events” because they should never happen with a competent medical team.
  • Birth injuries: We frequently help families who experience devastating labor and delivery complications. These can be the result of a healthcare provider’s negligence, such as detrimental delays in delivery or performing Cesarean sections, which can result in Erb’s palsy, cerebral palsy, and/or asphyxia (lack of oxygen).
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Brain and spinal cord injuries often lead to significant cognitive impairment and paralysis. Osborne & Francis personal injury attorneys work hard to help victims recover full support and restore their quality of life.
  • Failure to diagnose: Failing to properly diagnose a medical condition or event can lead to significant delays in treatment, and sometimes even death. In particular, negligent assessment and treatment of heart attacks, aortic aneurysms, and cancer prevent timely and life-saving medical treatments.
  • Hospital negligence: Hospitals are busy places and medical personnel often find themselves treating many patients at one time. Negligence can happen when someone fails to communicate with you or other members of your healthcare team, improperly monitors your condition, or prescribes or administers incorrect prescription drugs. These negligent behaviors can lead to significant harm.

When you enter a medical establishment, you should be in a safe place. Medical personnel swear an oath to do no harm, and are held to some of the highest standards of care by their profession and by the law. If you’re injured due to negligent care or suspect you’ve been harmed by medical malpractice, contact the personal injury lawyers at Osborne & Francis at (561) 293-2600 today.

What Are Automobile Accident Lawsuits?

Automobile accidents are all too frequent. Anyone who spends a regular amount of time commuting to work or driving to accomplish regular errands is statistically going to be involved in a vehicular incident eventually.

A fender-bender in a parking lot is often a small inconvenience handled by insurance coverage, but a high-speed crash with a tractor trailer truck, bike or motorcycle, or pedestrian can be life-altering and even deadly. Insurance often does not cover the full cost of such losses. Accidents that involve uninsured motorists or Lyft or Uber rideshare drivers can also complicate your access to compensation. Accidents caused by another’s negligence or recklessness, like distracted driving or drunk driving likely require a veteran lawyer with personal injury and auto accident experience.

The personal injury attorneys at Osborne & Francis have an extensive history of successfully representing vehicular accident cases of all kinds. Contact us to schedule a free, confidential consultation if you’ve suffered a vehicle-involved injury and need professional advice and representation.

What is Premises Liability?

Premises liability laws require property owners to ensure their property is safe and accessible for you when you visit. Slip-and-fall accidents are all too common and can cause significant injuries. Shopping cart injuries can endanger children. Assaults or robberies committed on premises that fail to provide adequate security or thorough employee background checks are also matters of the law.

Whether you’ve been injured at a commercial business like a grocery store, or at a private home or public event (including swimming pool accidents), you may be able to recover financial losses and punitive (aka “punishment”) damages that are charged to the negligent owner.

Joe Osborne

What Is a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

An injury that causes or contributes to a person’s untimely death is considered wrongful death under the law. The death of a loved one as the result of negligence is a particularly traumatic experience. A legal treatment of such an event attempts to compensate for the loss of companionship, the anguish experienced by surviving family members, and the loss of economic support (especially in cases where the deceased was the sole or main breadwinner for a household).

We at Osborne & Francis work diligently to guide our clients through the legal system with compassion and respect after the death of a loved one. Call us at (561) 293-2600 to ensure that your case is handled properly and swiftly within all relevant legal timelines.

What Is the Average Personal Injury Settlement?

Since personal injury cases are widely diverse, and each person’s recovery needs unique, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to what a personal injury settlement could mean for you and your family. However, there are some general areas of compensation you might expect.

The following considerations are typically included in cases of personal injury:

  • Medical bills: Coverage for the cost of doctor and hospital visits, ambulance transport, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and/or mobility aids — whatever treatment needs your injury requires.
  • Lost wages: If you have to take time off work or lose out on employment opportunities to heal, an experienced personal injury lawyer can help calculate the wages and other work-related benefits lost.
  • Pain and suffering: This includes physical pain due to your injury, as well as the psychological anguish, stress, and grief associated with a preventable injury.
  • Punitive damages: In certain cases where your personal injury attorney can prove negligence on the part of someone else, a judge may charge that person with punitive damages to punish their irresponsible behavior and teach a lesson. Those fees may then be awarded to you.
  • Wrongful death support: In the case of a fatal injury, wrongful death damages may cover funeral and burial costs, the fees associated with settling the deceased person’s estate, as well as the loss of financial and emotional support they would have provided for their family.

Our attorneys at Osborne & Francis have significant experience handling even the most challenging personal injury cases. We put in the work so that you can heal in peace, and do everything possible to recover all that you’re entitled to under the law. Call us at (561) 293-2600 to discuss your circumstances — we may be able to start relieving your worries right away.

Since personal injury cases are widely diverse, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to what a personal injury settlement could mean for you and your family — call Osborne & Francis at (561) 293-2600 to have your specific questions answered.

What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer?

The main benefit of hiring a personal injury is obtaining a legal remedy that you might not be able to achieve on your own. If you’ve been injured on account of someone’s negligence, a lawyer can help with the following:

  • Reviewing the facts and circumstances of your case
  • Gathering documents and information for evidence
  • Researching the laws that apply to your situation
  • Filing court documents on your behalf
  • Negotiating with other parties
  • Creating a strong legal strategy for your case
  • Presenting arguments in court
  • Calculating a proper damages award

These tasks would be difficult for any person to do, let alone someone who might be physically recovering from an injury. Contact an experienced lawyer at Osborne & Francis at (561) 293-2600 for assistance with your personal injury issue.

What Questions Should You Ask a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Once you schedule a consultation with a lawyer, you should prepare a list of questions you can ask them. These can be both about your case, as well as the attorney themselves. You can ask questions such as:

  • Where did you receive your legal education?
  • How long have you been practicing law?
  • Have you handled cases like mine before?
  • What documents do you need from me?
  • How long will my case take?
  • What damages might I be able to recover?
  • How often will you contact me?
  • When and where can I reach out to you?

The more communication you have with the attorney, the better. There is no such thing as a “wrong” question, so don’t hesitate to ask for clarification on any matters related to your case.

Client Testimonials

Hear what our clients have to say about the service and support that Osborne & Francis provide:

I would like to express my most sincere thanks for the most professional representation. I admire your composure, work ethic, and most of all your excellent representation. We are so grateful for the countless hours and all the hard work that each of you put in over the years in order to lend complete advocacy to my mother in her claim. What an amazing team! Thank you!

-Kimberlyn B.

I would like to commend Osborne & Francis for the professional and expeditious settlement of my hip claim. Both Attorney Robby Bell and Dennis Faulkner were always available by phone and response was immediate to answer any questions I might have. Everything was handled quickly and satisfactorily within a year. I would highly recommend Osborne & Francis to represent anyone in a similar situation.

-Carole T.

"Best personal injury attorney around, I could not be happier! I was seriously injured in a car accident and Osborne and Francis helped me through the entire process. I was blown away by how knowledgeable the staff and attorneys are at this incredible law firm. I would not hesitate to recommend this law firm to friends and family!"

-Erica F.

Erica F.

How Can I Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer?

If you’ve been harmed and need support to recover, reaching out to a personal injury attorney may be the most important step you take. Find out what protections the law has regarding your rights, and what avenues of support you may have access to with the help of the right counsel.

If you are looking for a personal injury attorney, the offices of Osborne & Francis are based in South Florida, with nationwide reach. Call us at (561) 293-2600 or fill out our online contact form to find out whether you have a personal injury claim — we can provide the legal resources and advice you need to make the best decisions for you and your family.

Personal Injury FAQs

What is considered personal injury?

Personal injury law refers to injuries against persons. In many cases, these injuries are caused by someone else’s negligence and may require legal action to resolve. Regardless of whether those injuries occur at work, at the grocery store, or on the road, a personal injury lawyer may be able to help you access the support you need.

What does a personal injury settlement include?

A settlement or verdict in a personal injury case may cover:

  • Medical bills for healthcare treatment
  • Lost wages or work-related benefits
  • Pain and suffering — both physical and psychological
  • Punitive damages meant to punish wrongdoers who’ve been negligent or reckless
  • Wrongful death support after the loss of a loved one

What personal injury case experience does Osborne & Francis have?

The personal injury settlement and verdict victories achieved by the offices of Osborne & Francis include:

  • Securing a $1 million dollar settlement in a wrongful death shooting case involving negligent security at a trailer park.
  • Winning $2 million dollars on behalf of a plaintiff injured by corrosive metal in a Kinectiv Technology hip implant, manufactured by Zimmer.
  • Achieving a ground-breaking $26.7 million dollar verdict for four women injured by Boston Scientific’s Pinnacle vaginal mesh product.

Is it worth hiring a personal injury attorney?

Yes, even the most seemingly straightforward case can have many subtle legal nuances and concepts involved. In many instances, the average person won’t be able to obtain the results they desire if they seek to represent themselves in an injury trial.

An experienced lawyer can craft the legal strategy needed to succeed on a claim. Contact Osborne & Francis at (561) 293-2600 to schedule a free consultation regarding your personal injury case.

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